Courted by the Cowboy (The Boones of Texas 3)

He shook his head, barely glancing up before returning to his work, his fingers blurring the thicker lines to give the illusion of movement.

By the time she’d restocked the towels, Brook and Fisher were sitting at the bar. They were smiling at each other, in deep conversation. Kylee ignored the ache that settled in the pit of her stomach, reminding herself over and over that Fisher Boone was a friend, a good friend. And that was all he would ever be.

If she was bothered by the budding romance between Brook and Fisher, it had nothing to do with the good doctor and everything to do with being lonely. It was a choice, she knew that. But watching over Shawn, keeping them safe, hadn’t left a lot of room for much else. Most of the time she managed to keep her emotions bottled up, but when she stopped long enough it was hard to ignore just how lonely she was. She wouldn’t wish it on anyone. Especially someone like Fisher.

Brook spoke quickly, her hands moving and her face animated, catching Kylee’s eye. With her crazy curly red hair, big brown eyes and thick dark lashes there was no denying she was pretty. What’s more, she had a friendly and open sort of energy. She and Fisher could be good together.

Kylee left them alone, finding Devon to review the week’s order and work schedule. She might have Saturday off, but she was working the late sh

ift every night this week. It wasn’t the hours she objected to, it was dragging Shawn along with her. Like her, he was making strides with their new life, but he still didn’t like to be alone. She worried about him, his odd sleep schedule and the eclectic company he kept. But all those things came hand in hand with her working in a bar.

She waved at Devon as the other woman clocked out, then she picked up one of the large tubs for cleanup. Kylee made a sweep of the dance hall, clearing three tables and pocketing tip money before making her way back to the bar. It might be a slow night, but the table of older ladies had been generous tippers. A rare treat.

She tucked the tip into her pocket, catching sight of Shawn, yawning, at the end of the bar. If she worked at the animal hospital she wouldn’t need to worry about tips or regular late-night shifts. The only thing stopping her from turning in the completed application was fear. Something she was working hard to let go of. She was smart—she could learn the skills necessary for this job. She’d strive to become the best damn employee there. And give Shawn the future he deserved.

Just like that, she made up her mind. She’d turn in the application Monday morning and do her best to be as polite as possible. If they hired her, she’d have to work on her customer-service skills—admittedly not her strong suit.

“Can we get some water?” Brook called, smiling at her.

Kylee headed back to the bar, a spring in her step. She filled two mugs with ice and water and put them on the counter. Since it was so slow, she was going to work in the supply closet. That way Fisher and Brook would have some privacy, and she’d have some space.

“Thanks. You haven’t been in Stonewall Crossing all that long have you, Kylee?” Brook asked before she could disappear. “This place is a trip. I half expected to see a horse tied up out front.”

“It happens now and then,” Kylee agreed, thinking about Fisher’s horse tied in front of Pop’s bakery. She and Shawn had laughed, in total shock. From the corner of her eye, she saw Fisher glance Shawn’s way. He was smiling.

“Really? I’ll have to take pictures of that.” Brook’s brown eyes went round. “How long did it take before it started feeling normal for you?”

Kylee had to smile at that. She’d never had a normal so she couldn’t really answer the question. Instead she said, “Everyone made us feel welcome right away.” Everyone, like Fisher. She glanced at him—he was looking at his beer bottle.

Her chest ached.

“So you feel at home here?” Brook pushed.

Kylee nodded, without thought. She didn’t know when this small town had become home, but it was. The anxiety that gripped her had all but disappeared. She wasn’t suspicious of everyone she met. There was security here—even if she and her brother were living in a tiny apartment in the back of a bar. For the first time in years, she and Shawn were safe.

“I’m not sure I could ever feel at home here,” Brook laughed. “But I guess I can enjoy good beer, some pool and cowboys.” She winked at Kylee.

Kylee glanced at Fisher, then back at Brook. If Fisher was interested in Brook, he needed to step up his game.

“I’m off to play some pool.” Brook tipped her beer bottle at Fisher. “With some cowboys.”

Kylee expected Fisher to go with her, so his, “Have fun,” was a surprise. Shouldn’t he be running interference between Toben and Brook instead of smiling at her from his bar stool? Sort of like how she should be heading into the supply room to double-check inventory but wasn’t.

She had missed his easygoing smile and conversation. She’d missed him, being here, being him. She was beginning to think she was the only woman to appreciate just what a good man Fisher was. If Brook Marcus had any brains, she’d forget fooling around with sweet-talkers like Toben and go for the real thing—Fisher. She knew if things were different, Fisher Boone was the sort of man she’d want at her side.

“You look pretty, Kylee,” Fisher said quietly. But his words made something warm and light bubble up inside her. Her heart thumped so hard and fast she worried he might hear it. But he rested an elbow on the bar. “Shawn drawing more horses? Too bad y’all didn’t get here a few weeks earlier for the Fourth of July. Shawn would have gotten a kick out of all the horses. We’ll have another parade for Labor Day, though.” He paused, sipping his beer. “Got any special plans coming up?

She shrugged, the pounding of her heart barely slowing.

“Any interest in bowling?” he asked.

Kylee looked at him then, her eyes meeting his—and holding.

His gaze was warm and welcoming, the smile on his face too distracting to ignore. She couldn’t hold back her answering smile or stop the rush of pleasure through her blood. It was easy to smile with him, to be herself. She swallowed, tearing her gaze from his.

Herself.

Broken. Vulnerable. Bitter. Confused. Fisher wouldn’t want to know that girl. A girl who’d done things he could never understand. She’d never ask him to. No matter how he might make her feel, she needed to remember who she was and where she came from. They lived in different worlds and always would.